Meet Tyler Govaars, a rockstar blogger and fellow jetsetter who we had the privilege of speaking with

We never pass up the chance to chat with inspiring and ambitious young gypsets who are passionate about all things travel. Tyler Govaars, the fabulous blogger of The Weekend Editis here to share her wanderings with us. She has traveled near and far to over 32 countries! YUP. Basically, she’s everything we aspire to be. Read on for more fun facts {hint: being detained in Thailand}.

How did you become a gypset? Was traveling always something you were interested in?

I think I’ve always had a bit of the gypset mentality. Growing up I spent a lot of time in Lake Tahoe exploring and spent summers at Ghost Ranch outside of Abiquiu New Mexico with my extended family. During the day the adults would take workshops like ceramics, poetry and painting and the kids would hike and explore the vast New Mexico landscape. I’m drawn to adventure and feel a strong pull to nature, which fuels a lot of my wandering. Travel is the biggest source of inspiration in my everyday life.

What made you decide to start a blog? Was writing always something you’ve been interested in?

I wanted a place to document my travel stories and photography when I moved to Australia after college. The Weekend Edit is actually the third blog I’ve written and each one has opened the door to amazing opportunities around the world. Writing is a great way to hone your voice and discover what truly excites you – plus it allows me to develop a personal portfolio while doing something I love.

How do you decide where to travel?

It’s usually a mix of places I have researched online and where my friends are exploring. Instagram is also a great source of travel inspiration for me. I ask everyone I know what new travel destinations are on their radar – the next Bali or the next Tulum. I have an ongoing list of places I want to visit scribbled down in my notebook.

What do you do when you’re not roaming the world?

Right now a mix of travel writing, content strategy and web design. I also help produce a three-day music, yoga, and arts festival in Austin called Euphoria Music & Camping Festival. I have been focusing a lot of my time on that recently – we just had our fourth annual event and it has really taken on a life of it’s own. I’m in awe of the creative community that we have built over the years.

What is the craziest thing that’s happened to you while traveling?

When we were living abroad in Australia my boyfriend and I were detained on the way back from Thailand. I was on a yearlong work exchange visa and he was only renewing a tourist visa, so I guess that set off a flag in the system somewhere. We had to answer all sorts of personal questions, and were quizzed in separate rooms. They let us go eventually, but we did miss our next flight and had to spend the night in Darwin. I’ve spent the night in plenty of airports, and have found that it is usually the uncomfortable situations that result in of the most memorable travel stories.

What is your favorite place you have ever traveled and what would you recommend people do there?

My favorite places have been Japan, Iceland and Vietnam. In Japan, navigating the Tokyo subway, riding the Shinkansen and ordering udon from a vending machine; Iceland, renting a car and driving the coastline, stopping to explore waterfalls, hot springs and black sand beaches; Vietnam, a bike tour of rural Hoi An, winding off the tourist trail and stopping to eat river prawns and ride through bright green rice fields.

How many countries have you traveled to?

So far, 32. I had a personal goal of visiting 30 countries before my 30th birthday, which I completed this past summer while crossing the border between the Czech Republic and Germany by train. My whole family was there, and we celebrated with wine and beer at 11 AM from the restaurant car that my mom had bought while I wasn’t looking.

Going on an Italian getaway for your honeymoon and need some ideas on what to pack?! See below for Her Sparkle’s latest packing list for Italy.

When traveling abroad it’s always a good idea to bring some stand out pieces {gorgeous options seen below – we picture ourselves sipping wine on the Amalfi Coast in one of these dresses!} as well as some simpler & more practical items {such as the scarf to throw on with jeans + white tank AND of course the beach bag & flats}

Welp, we’re definitely going to do some damage with this packing list. Also, is anyone thinking of taking an Italian getaway ASAP?! Thank you Ashley for sparking our wanderlust and sharing your wisdom 🙂

Memorial Day is pretty much the perfect holiday. It ushers in all that is awesome about summer, like long-awaited sunshine, long-anticipated trips, and the inevitable long lines at your favorite brunch place. Whether you’re planning on hitting up the beach with buddies or you’re looking forward to enjoying travels near and far, this playlist full of fresh tunes will get you through your weekend.

So, put on your headphones. Press play. Chill out. Repeat.

After listening to the songs from this kickass playlist, we’re ready to recharge this weekend. After all, good music is essential. Everyone needs a soundtrack for their adventures.

Dan of Lekker Boats talks about his passion for social boating in Sydney.

Lekker Boats is a fresh company that offers their guests amazing boating experiences around the hottest spots in Sydney. We recently spoke to Daan, one of their visionaries and founders, to hear his thoughts on what makes Dutch boats so unique, what the Lekker way of life really means, and where his favorite spots in Sydneyare.

Tell me more about why you first started your company, Lekker Boats. Was it something that you and your team always dreamed about?

We started Lekker Boats with 3 people: Meindert, James, and myself (Daan).
*Meindert is Dutch and started LekkerBikes about 5 years ago in Australia after he travelled here. He did a course in English, and wanted a bicycle to get from his home to the course. More people got interested, and thats how he started the company.
*I am Dutch as well, and besides my studies, was busy with designing and constructing furniture and interiors of cafe’s. I love being on the water, and spent my time on boats during the summer in Amsterdam, so that is why I first started building a few boats in Holland. I always had dreams of living, surfing, and having a boating company in Australia.
*James is the supporter for our idea, a genius mind, and the investor to make it all happen!

I was speaking with Meindert on the phone while he was in Sydney enjoying “the good life” (and I was in Amsterdam enjoying the rain). We were both dreaming about designing a typical Dutch handmade boat for the sunny, beach-y lifestyle and market in Australia – something completely different than what was on the boating market in Sydney. Something stylish, but fast. Something Dutch. Something very Lekker!

This is why Lekker Boats and Lekker Bikes are a part of LEKKER DREAMING.

How would you describe Lekker Boats to everyone?

First off, Lekker means tasty, sexy, or good in Dutch!

Lekker is a lifestyle brand. Lekker wants to show that transportation can be comfortable, sexy, classy and very convenient. Lekker likes to stand out as a unique company, that is why we are fresh, original, and have a new look on existing products in well known industries.

You write on your website that Lekker Boats “introduces a different type of boat to Australia with a strong dutch heritage.” Why is this Dutch heritage important to you? What do you love about Dutch boats?

“With our beautiful lakes, rivers and many other waterways, Holland is the ideal place for yachting. The use of the word “jacht” started about 400 years ago and from that moment there was a continual growth in demand for yachts, resulting in work for many shipyards throughout the country. They all started as small businesses, building small yachts. Some of their yards developed eventually into big and important shipyards for megayachts. Around these smaller and bigger shipyards, an infrastructure of suppliers, naval architects, stylists, interior designers, and subcontractors developed. This created a healthy competition which caused the best ratio between technology, quality and price. Because Holland is such a small country, and became a specialist in yachts, the Dutch yachting sector started a few years after WW2 with its export. The Dutch trading spirit and expertise in shipbuilding is built up over centuries and created this “super yachting hub”. – Mulder Design

As a Dutch company we have access to all this knowledge, skill, and competency, and we gratefully make use of these resources. We are proud to be part of this history as a Dutch boating design and building company.

We love that you offer boat rides for wedding parties! Do you have any fun stories about this?

Once we were with a group of friends out at Manly, which is north Sydney. We were having a great time at Collins Beach, which is an incredible environment with big rock jumps and clear waters that are good for snorkeling as well. At about 5pm we dropped off a few people at the wharf in Manly when we saw a newly wed couple who needed to get to the other side of Sydney Harbour, to Watsons Bay, because their wedding party would be there. But, the traffic was stuck on the Harbour Bridge and the ferries wouldn’t go any more at that time. We beached the boat, took the newly weds on board, and raced them to the other side of the Harbour to the party where all their friends were. They saw the amazing city from the water and with the romantic music, everybody in the boat at that time felt the love! When we drove them up the beach right in front of the venue, they were on time, very happy and all their friends were completely surprised.

We love the way that you describe your company’s services: social boating. What does social boating mean to you and your team?

Great to hear you like our social approach! We really feel our boats are a very social experience. This because they are open, and literally every square cm is accessible and of use for customers. The captain is positioned in the back of the boat, which even makes him/her a part of the group.

Besides the features of the boats, we love to involve our clients in our tours so they can be the DJ, they can decide where they want to go, or if they want to go for a swim they can jump in! We like to give them the experience that they own the boat and can do what they want. That makes it a very enjoyable trip. If the music is on, we would like to have our guests dancing on the top of the benches.

What do you and your team love to do when you’re not planning amazing boating experiences?

If we are not busy with planning trips or having trips with customers we go out ourselves, organize a party with our friends, raft up with multiple boats, or go on a beautiful and exciting camping trip with a boat. We love to discover areas where we’ve never been. For instance, the Hawkesburry River is this enormous park with wildlife, stunning beaches, rock jumps and rope swings, and there are also loads of fish in the waters.

Where do you personally love to travel with your boats?

We go mostly around Sydney Harbour. Sydney Harbour is recognized as one of the most amazing waterways in the world. This truly is a wonderful place with dozens of beaches. Some are busy, some are really quiet and private. With an incredible view of the city, you can have a picnic on the whitest beaches while it looks like a Vietnam jungle in the background.

What advice would you offer to couples who are planning their honeymoons in Australia?

Australia is an amazing country with lots to see and enjoy. One of these must sees is Sydney. I would recommend anyone to visit Sydney and experience a metropool, which is surrounded by water. These waters are the playgrounds of the adults (children as well of course). The water, parks, and beaches are the lungs of the city. It is where the people escape to for their lunch times, and during the weekends. It is also how the Aussies can maintain the Australian way of life in a city with 4,5 million citizens.

Do you have any favorite spots in Australia to visit or eat at?

Watsons Bay and the fish markets are my favorite places for a nice drink and food. The fish markets are a crazy, busy place where the fish are traded. If you like fish, this is the place to be. Watsons Bay is one of the most beautiful locations, and a rare venue right on the beach in Sydney Harbour. Its easy accessible via the boat, has great food and a fun, beach clubby atmosphere.

If you could choose one of your own Wanderable Experiences to enjoy, which one would it be and why? Who would you invite?

I would love to go to Greece with my girlfriend and do the Private Mykonos Round Tour. Yes, again a boat, I’m just in love with my girlfriend and the sea! I think it’s beautiful, and I hope we could do some fishing, bonfire on empty beaches, and snorkel in clear waters. I’m sure this tour must be great!

Thanks again to Daan of Lekker Boats for the amazing story and tips on exploring Sydney! Check out their beautiful Dutch boats for yourself.

“The Floating Market Full Day Private Tour! Usually, when I travel someplace, I really like to get to know the local culture and interact with the locals. With this tour, you’re taken along the Mae Klong River before you explore the colorful floating markets! I’d pick up fresh fruit to snack on as we drive through the local villages and canals around the area.”

Sara, BD Hotshot

“Hands down, the Koh Tao Discover Scuba. It’s completely private. You get your own boat to cruise around Koh Tao with a specialized instructor. My boyfriend and I have been wanting to learn SCUBA forever, and what better place than in one of the world’s top-rated scuba diving locations? You experience a gorgeous, secluded bay filled with corals all to yourself.”

Ilana – Marketing Extraordinaire

“I’m such an animal person, so I instantly honed in on the Phuket Wildlife and Romance Tour. It’s really cool – you first travel to Phuket’s largest Buddha sculpture, then take an elephant trek before lunch and more sightseeing. But, I’m most excited for the last stop at Tiger Kingdom! It’s one of my wildest dreams to be able to cuddle with baby tiger cubs.”

Marcela, Product Whiz

“Oh, definitely the Bangkok Day Dream Package. Being able to relax in an herbal floral bath before enjoying a body scrub, an aromatherapy oil massage, and a facial relaxation treatment sounds amazing. I feel like I would unwind on years and years of stress in one luxurious afternoon. It sounds like it’ll be so hard to leave afterward!”

Jacqui, Content Guru

“It would have to be the Full-Day Phi Phi Island (By Speed Boat), naturally. I love the idea of waking up early to beat the crowds and island-hopping in the Phi Phi Islands on this incredible, sleek speed boat. You’ll visit everywhere from the Phi Phi Don to the Maya Bay. And as if that weren’t enough, you also get to go snorkeling. Literally the perfect day.”

Vicki, BD Mastermind

“I really love the Ayutthaya Relics Tour. It allows you to get in a bit of ancient history. You’re submerged in the the history of Thailand’s past royalty while you explore these gorgeous ruins in the former capital of Siam. And you end the day tasting local sweets – what better way to wrap up a fascinating look into Thailand’s past?”

Esther, Customer Advocate

“If I were you, I would check out this amazing activity, Discovering Rural Thai Life Over Authentic Northern Thai Cuisine. I’m a huge foodie, so spending the day cooking with a culinary mother-daughter team is right up my alley. Plus, I’m secretly looking forward to impressing all my future dinner guests with authentic Thai recipes!”

What’s a Honeymoon Registry?

Wanderable is a new and unique honeymoon registry that allows wedding guests to gift meaningful and memorable experiences to a newlywed couple.

Similar to a traditional registry where the couple registers for gifts, couples will create a Wanderable registry website where guests can choose a thoughtful experience to give based on their unique relationship with the couple.